Ilona Reischl re-elected as chair of Committee for Advanced Therapies
Ilona Reischl’s second three-year mandate will begin in February 2026
NewsHumanCorporateAdvanced therapies
At its January meeting, EMA’s Committee for Advanced Therapies (CAT) re-elected Ilona Reischl as its chair, for a second three-year mandate.
Dr Ilona Reischl is a quality assessor for biotech and advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) at the Austrian Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (AGES MEA).
Before becoming chair, she served as vice-chair of the CAT from January 2017 to January 2023.
"I am honoured by my colleagues’ continued confidence through my re election as chair of the CAT. The coming period will be one of important evolution as we prepare for the transition set out in the new pharmaceutical legislation.
While the Committee’s structure will change, the importance of ATMPs and our commitment to supporting their development remain unchanged. Together with the CAT, I am dedicated to ensuring a robust and future proof framework that effectively addresses the scientific and regulatory challenges of the development and authorisation of ATMPs in the EU.”
The main role of the CAT is to evaluate applications for ATMPs submitted to EMA and draft an opinion, before the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopts a final opinion on the marketing authorisation of the medicine. CAT is also responsible for classification and certification of ATMPs. ATMPs are medicines for human use that are based on genes or cells. They offer ground-breaking new opportunities for the treatment of disease and injury. The CAT’s remit includes developing guidance documents, simplifying procedures, training assessors and organising scientific workshops.